Kenneth "Kenny" Jensen

Kenneth Peter Jensen Sr. was born in Omaha, Nebraska on November 18, 1947. He passed away in Eau Claire, Wisconsin on July 12, 2026 while on vacation with his children, nephew and son-in-law. While extremely sudden, his family is comforted by the fact that he was with some of his beloved people, having the time of his life.

Kenny spent most of his first 20 years growing up on a farm in the Blair, Nebraska area. Farm life allowed Kenny to develop a love and respect for animals. Whether it was witnessing a calf being born, befriending a goat named Adolph, or bringing in the cows from pasture with Buzz the dog, animals remained one of his greatest joys until the very end. He enjoyed so many great times with his mother and father, sisters and cousins. The stories seem to be endless. He also loved “adventures” with his many friends he grew up with like Larry, Bob, Keith, Gary, Charlie, several of whom he kept in contact with to this day. Luckily for him and them, there were no cellphones to record their mischief!

Kenny married Lynda Vlasak and they had 2 children, Julie and Ken Jr and later divorced. No matter where life took him, his children remained at the center of his heart. He loved them fiercely, was endlessly proud of them, and treasured every opportunity to be together.

He started into construction when he worked for an old farmer in the Blair area. He then went to work for Hagan & Sons in Omaha where he did his formal apprenticeship to be a bricklayer and do masonry work. He and his family relocated to Schuyler, NE, where he worked for Hulsey Construction, and where he also started Jensen Masonry. When the economy took a downturn in the early 1980’s he was contacted by a friend to come work for Monfort Construction, part of the Monfort Family Beef Plants and where he started his long career of a “traveling bricklayer/masonry” on their many, many plants in Kansas, Texas, Nebraska, Utah, Colorado, Missouri, and finally Iowa. He eventually settled in Marshalltown, Iowa. In these travels, he met some great people like the Davis family and others who he continued to keep in touch with as well all these years later. He continued to work for Monfort until about 1994 when he started Eagle Construction which has continued to his passing. His craftsmanship can be seen throughout Marshalltown, including on the courthouse, which underwent extensive restoration following the devastating 2018 tornado. Another fun fact about Kenny is that he graduated from the World Wide College of Auctioneering, Mason City, in 1996 earning the honorary title of Colonel. The man did not know how to sit down and was always working on projects, up to a couple of days before his passing. He truly was one of the hardest workers you would ever meet. And while patience was NOT his greatest virtue, he made up for that in work ethic and loyalty to so many.

When he moved to Marshalltown, he met his wonderful wife, Janet Crowther and they married in August 1989. They enjoyed the last 37 years making a life together and we can still hear him saying “Jan, where are my glasses, pen, etc”. Janet was a wonderful wife and stepmom and a huge animal lover as well. This explains the extremely lengthy list of dogs/cats/cows and whatever else came their way, each one equally loved. Kenny and Jan were even slightly “famous” when a White Park breed, 7 yr old cow, named Dottie they owned had triplets. A rarity that brought out local news, farm magazines and local papers to interview them and take pictures for the world to see.

Animals were a huge part of their lives with their many Samoyed dogs that Janet raised and showed, lots of cats that enjoyed luxurious lifestyles, one in particular that was Kenny’s side kick named Spencer, and many cows, including Half-Pint who Kenny actually halter trained and followed him around the farm everywhere he went.

Kenny and Janet made lifelong friends near their farm and as well as many of the construction guys that he worked with. Neighbors such as Kenny Z, Ronnie, Elwood, and the dear friends that have passed away and his construction buddies such as Ciro Rob and many others. The family is incredibly grateful for those friendships as they meant so much to Kenny and Janet and appreciated all their help to them over the years. They were all part of his well-lived life, and he thought so much of them. He also enjoyed his Harley and was able to take many trips with his son and nephew over the years along with attending Sturgis numerous times, the last being with both of his kids and nephew in 2025 of which bore some unforgettable memories. He enjoyed hunting with his son and “mushroom hunting” around Schuyler with his friend, Phil. He was an avid crossword doer and played a mean game of Yahtzee with his daughter. He most enjoyed all these friendships he made all throughout his life. Each one of them was so special to him and you all meant so much to him. He loved his family deeply and the stories of the Jensen family will live on with all of us. It will be extremely hard to imagine a world without him in it. He was so very loved and appreciated.

Kenny survived by his wife, Janet Crowther-Jensen; his daughter, Julie "Sis" Jensen and her husband Jim Glass; his son, Ken Jr. and his wife Stacy Ludwig; Nephew, Martin (Margaret) Pennock and their children, Amanda (Tanner) and Brandon (Paige); niece, Karen Jarnecic; nephew, Steve (Marijo) Jarnecic; nieces: Theresa (Victor) Contreraz, and their two children: Chase and Maya, and Monica Seamann and her son, Cyan; along with several cousins; their cats: Button and Squeak; and their dog, Cerise.

Preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Theresa Jensen; sister and brother in law, Barbara and Joseph Jarnecic; sister and brother in law, Vivian and Martin Pennock; sister and brother in law, Dianne and Tom Seamann; and nephew, Scott Seamann; mother in law, Thelma Crowther; father in law, Fred Crowther Jr.; and a host of beloved animals.

Our husband/dad/uncle/friend will be so missed but we know he is reunited with his family he so loved and all his pets at Rainbow Bridge.

Per Kenny’s wishes, cremation rites will take place. A family-led graveside service will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, August 7th at Riverside Cemetery in Marshalltown. Later that day, a celebration of Kenny’s life will be held at the family home from 2:00 until 7:00 P.M. Memorial donations may be directed to the Animal Rescue League of Marshalltown.

Mitchell Family Funeral Home has been entrusted to care for Kenny and his family. To leave online condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph. 641-844-1234.

~ Lovingly written by family

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